Best Indoor Plants for Beginners: Interior Plants Guide

Interior plants have become a beloved ally for households nowadays. So much so that they strive to bring bits of it inside their homes, in every corner and crevice. By incorporating plants, we can experience a sense of connection with Mother Earth, and her diverse beauty.

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Choosing a plant that fits well within your home’s interior requires considering factors such as its need for care and lifespan. That said, I’ve compiled a list of popular houseplants for beginners to help you spruce up your space and bring some green into your home.

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Best Indoor Plants for Beginners: Interior Plants Guide

Fiddle-leaf fig

Meet the Ficus Lyrata, also known as the fiddle leaf fig! With its extensive and gracefully arched branches, pointed leaves, and adaptable size.

This plant is the perfect addition to brighten up any space, whether it be by the window, next to the sofa, or in a corner that needs a little extra joy. Not only does it bring an energetic, green touch to your home, but it’s also incredibly resilient.

Making it easy for anyone from a beginner to total green thumbs to care for. Don’t miss out on the vibrant life this plant can bring to your space!

Ponytail palm

Also known as the Elephant Foot Plant, this flowing plant resembles the leg of an elephant, but don’t let its height of almost one meter indoors or ten meters outdoors intimidate you! This plant is easy to care for and thrives in well-lit spaces, although it doesn’t need direct sunlight. Indirect sunlight is usually best.

It’s a perfect choice for decorating your kitchen or windows near the garden.

Croton

Looking for an easy-to-care-for plant that will bring striking colors into your home? Croton comes in a variety of colors and its unique, shaped leaves add shades of green, red, and orange.

Spider plant

Spider plant, not to be confused with snake plant, is a pretty cool-looking plant. Don’t let the name of this plant scare you – it’s called “spider plant” because its leaves resemble spider legs. But don’t worry, it’s easy to grow and care for, making it perfect for beginners.

It only needs to be watered once a week in the winter and 2-3 times a week in the summer. Making it a durable and ideal choice for anyone starting their journey in gardening or home decor with plants.

Prayer plant

Do you need a breathtakingly beautiful plant that will add a touch of elegance to your indoor space? Calathea or the prayer plant is your choice.

This small plant boasts finely detailed leaves in a range of gorgeous green shades. With a preference for corners and humidity over direct sunlight, it’s the perfect choice for decorating low-lit areas with a flourish of natural beauty.

Fern

Have you ever decorated your home with a fern? These plants come in a wide variety and are perfect for any space.

With their rustic roots and striking green leaves, they add a special touch. Plus, ferns thrive in low-light environments. If you want a fern that needs a bit more bright, indirect sunlight, go for the adiantum raddaianum, also known as the maidenhair fern.

Succulents

Do you need a low-maintenance plant that can spruce up any indoor space? Consider the stylish and petite succulent!

These versatile plants can fit into any corner or nook – whether it’s your office desk or your kitchen counter.

Plus, they make for a perfect tabletop decoration. Not only are they easy to care for, only requiring a small amount of water and some bright light (but not direct sunlight), but they will also bring a touch of natural beauty to your surroundings. Better yet, because of their low water needs, if you forget to water, they’ll be fine! Plus, keeping something handy like aloe vera around can ensure you always have a natural remedy for any burns! Pretty handy, right?

Swiss Cheese Plant

The Swiss Cheese Plant is that trendy, leafy beauty you’ve probably seen all over Instagram and home decor magazines. It’s famous for its big, glossy leaves with holes in them, hence the name. This plant loves a bit of humidity and bright, indirect light. It’s super forgiving and easy to care for, which makes it a fave for both newbie and seasoned plant parents. Bonus: it grows fast and can get pretty huge.

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Why You Need More Interior Plants

Plants are a fantastic choice for interior decor. No matter the colors, shapes, or furniture chosen, a plant can always adapt and enhance the vitality of a space.

With their diverse sizes, colors, and presentations, plants bring energy and nature to every corner. Embrace the beauty and versatility of plants in your home!

Do you have interior plants? Please, share in the comments below your favorite ones! Don’t forget to visit my Minimalist Design category to find more tips and inspo to decorate your home.

Do Indoor Plants Attract Bugs?

Yes, indoor plants can attract bugs, but if you care for them properly and attentively, you can reduce this. While not all indoor plants will draw in bugs, certain conditions can make them more appealing to pesky insects. Common pests like aphids, gnats, spider mites, and mealybugs are often attracted to indoor plants, especially those that are overwatered or stressed from the living conditions. Whether you own a jade plant, zz plant, snake plant, or little succulent, all plants can be susceptible to bugs, especially tropical plants.

To lessen the chances of bugs, it’s important to be proactive in both your plant care and pest prevention. Here are some tips:

Inspect your plants often.

Make sure you regularly check the leaves, stems, and soil for any signs of pests moving in. Look for small, discolored spots, webbing, or even sticky substances on the leaves, which can show pest activity. Early detection makes it easier to treat infestations before they get much worse.

Avoid overwatering.

Overwatering creates a damp environment that can attract pests like gnats. Make sure all of your pots have proper drainage and that the soil is allowed to dry out between waterings. This helps prevent root rot and stops pests.

Clean your plants.

Dust and dirt on your plants can really attract bugs and provide a breeding ground for pests. Wipe the leaves and stems regularly with a damp cloth or use a gentle spray of water to keep them clean. This also helps plants to “breathe” better and get more light.

Look at new plants before bringing them inside.

Always check over new plants for pests before introducing them into your home. Look for any signs of bugs on the leaves, stems, or soil. Quarantine the plant for a week or two if you have any concerns. You don’t want pests spreading into your healthy plants.

Use well-draining soil.

Standing water in the soil can attract pests like fungus gnats. Make sure that your plants are potted in well-draining soil to prevent water buildup, which can help with insect growth.

Introduce beneficial insects.

Some beneficial insects, like ladybugs or predatory mites, can be introduced into your indoor space to naturally control pests like aphids and spider mites.

Use neem oil or insecticidal soaps.

Neem oil and insecticidal soaps are natural remedies that can be sprayed onto plants to get rid of pests. They are safe for most plants and won’t harm beneficial insects like bees when used outdoors.

Keep plants in bright and well-ventilated areas.

Bugs are so much less likely to thrive in dry, breezy environments. Ensure your indoor plants are placed in areas with good airflow and natural light, which can help deter pests. When placed in natural light, indoor plants thrive. Just make sure you know what type of light they need. It’s important to know what temperatures, humidity, and care your plants need to keep bugs away.

Repot plants often.

Repotting plants every couple of years can help prevent pest infestations by refreshing the soil. Old, compacted soil can harbor pests, and repotting gives you a chance to check for any issues. This is also important for growing plants.

Use sticky traps.

Yellow sticky traps are a really good way to catch flying insects like fungus gnats and whiteflies. Place them near your plants to monitor and control pest populations.